Jim Thorpe's Cole Lazorick (Photo by Leroy Boyer)

CATASAUQUA — Football coaches like to preach the importance of a fast start — and Friday night at Alumni Stadium, the Jim Thorpe Olympians delivered for head coach Mark Rosenberger.

Thorpe scored 35 points in the first quarter on its way to a 49-13 rout of the Rough Riders.

In fact, the home team, thanks to some clever kickoffs by Jim Thorpe’s Blaze Flyzik, didn’t gain its first possession until 4:57 remained in the opening quarter.

The Olympians took the opening possession and, led by quarterback Cole Lazorick, marched 68 yards in six plays for a 7-0 lead. On second-and-7 from the Catasauqua 42, Lazorick had tacklers grabbing at air as he cut off right tackle and outran the secondary for a 42-yard touchdown run and a quick 7-0 start.

Enter Flyzik — fresh from the Jim Thorpe soccer team. His pooch kick fell into open space and was recovered by Bobby Levins at the Catasauqua 30. Two plays later, Lazorick hit Levins over the middle for a 26-yard score and a two-touchdown lead. By throwing for 123 yards in the game, Lazorick broke the Jim Thorpe career passing record previously held by Corey Cinicola.

“I am extremely proud of Cole for setting the school record,” Rosenberger said. “His hard work has crafted him into the all-time best Jim Thorpe quarterback.”

Lazorick and company weren’t done scoring during their first-quarter barrage — but first, Flyzik struck again. His second pooch kick was recovered this time by Ben Remmel at the Riders’ 49. One play later, a pass-interference penalty set Thorpe up with a first down at the 23. After two runs by Levins, Lazorick bolted off left guard for a 16-yard touchdown run. Before Catasauqua even touched the ball on offense, the Olympians led 21-0.

The Rough Riders (3-4) went three-and-out, and Levins returned their punt 42 yards to the 4-yard line. Fullback Nick Faust busted over the goal line from the 3 for a commanding 28-0 advantage.

The home team went three-and-out again, giving the ball back to JT’s potent offense. From their own 32, Lazorick lofted a perfect pass to Connor Zurawa, who caught it in stride and dragged two defenders the final 15 yards to complete a 68-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

“We came out and set the tone with a quick touchdown,” Rosenberger said. “Then Blaze made two great kickoffs and our coverage team did a great job getting upfield to recover the loose balls.”

Ahead 35-0 entering the second quarter, Thorpe added one more score before halftime. A Catasauqua punt from its own 7 set Thorpe up at the 23. Lazorick, who finished with 100 rushing yards on the night, carried to the 6, and two plays later Angel Rivera scored from 2 yards out, enforcing the mercy rule for the remainder of the game.

The Red Swarm defense held Catasauqua to one first down and 39 total yards in the first half — one yard fewer than the 40 yards of penalties assessed to the Rough Riders.

“Our defense was strong,” Rosenberger said. “We knew that if we could slow down their running game and make them throw the ball, we had a great chance to win.”

The Rough Riders showed some life on the opening kickoff of the second half when Emmanuel Bolmer took it 87 yards for a touchdown to make it 42-6.

Thorpe added its final touchdown with 3:56 left in the third quarter when Paxton Novack broke free for a 12-yard score.

Catasauqua managed a late touchdown on a 59-yard run by Joziah Martinez, but the night belonged to Cole Lazorick’s record-setting performance and the return of JT’s renowned Red Swarm defense.

Game Summary

Jim Thorpe 49, Catasauqua 13

JT (3-4)         35          7          7          0  —    49

Cat (3-4)         0          0         6          7   —    13

JT — Lazorick 42 run (Flyzik kick)

JT — Levins 26 pass from Lazorick (Flyzik kick)

JT — Lazorick 16 run (Flyzik kick)

JT — Faust 3 run (Flyzik kick)

JT — Zurwawa 68 pass from Lazorick (Flyzik kick)

JT — Rivera 2 run (Flyzik kick)

C — Bolmer 87 KO return (kick blocked)

JT — Novack 12 run (Flyzik kick)

C — Martinez 59 run (Estranza kick)